EPA decides to cancel wage garnishing rule
Comments from Wyoming legislators
July 16, 2014
Senator Barrasso applauds EPA decision to cancel wage garnishing rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (Wednesday, July 16, 2014), U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to withdraw its rule to garnish Americans’ wages:
"In a rare moment of rationality, the EPA has decided to pull the plug on its outrageous attempt to bypass the courts and garnish Americans’ wages. I’m pleased that the Agency actually listened to Americans’ strong opposition and canceled this power grab.
"Now it’s time for the EPA to also pay attention to Americans who are speaking out against new regulations that will damage our economy and put more people out of work."
Background:
On July 10th, Senator Barrasso joined Senator David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy calling on the Agency to withdraw its direct final rule on administrative wage garnishment. (letter: http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=a16d239d-2a9d-4fa8-94e1-b3f81994702c)
Senator Mike Enzi’s comments:
EPA backs off on wage-garnishment proposal
Enzi calls for continued vigilance
Washington, D.C. - After receiving "adverse" comments from U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., and David Vitter, R-La., the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to withdraw its direct final rule on administrative wage garnishment, which would allow the EPA to collect money from private citizens without first obtaining a court order.
"This is good news for Wyoming and all those who believe in private property rights, but this is an agency driven by a relentless and extreme environmental agenda. I’m sure it’s already taking steps to get this rule finalized via a longer process," said Enzi.
Enzi, Barrasso, Senators Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., John Thune, R-S.D., and others were also in the process of introducing a Resolution of Disapproval on EPA wage garnishment rule. The House Appropriations Committee attached an amendment to an appropriations bill this week that would prohibit the EPA wage-garnishment rule.
"The outcry against this Independence Day weekend sneak attack was swift and loud from both sides of Capitol Hill, but we must stay active. The EPA will. It’s already in the process of trying to expand its control to state and private water and it’s seeking to kill coal and all the jobs and energy that go along with that industry. Right now the agency has almost 50 open proposed rules," Enzi said. "The public also has the ability to comment on proposed EPA rules. It’s important for people to let this agency know it’s not OK for it to take away their freedoms."
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